Hereditary definiteness of aspartate aminotransferase level in Holstein cattle

Abstract

Farm animals’ growth, development and realization of productive qualities are closely interrelated by enzymatic transformations of amino acids, proteins and other complex nitrogenous compounds. Aspartate aminotransferase (AsT) is involved in the metabolism of amino acids in the cycles of urea, tricarboxylic acids and gluconeogenesis. The level of AsT in the blood depends on many paratypical and genetic factors. The paper presents the results of a biochemical analysis of the AsT content in the blood serum of Holstein bulls aged 12-13 months, who are descendants of 4 breeding bulls. Blood sampling was carried out in animals with a live weight of 330-365 kg, bred in the conditions of a large livestock enterprise located in Western Siberia. The level of AsT in the blood serum of animals was determined by the Reitman-Frenkel colourimetric method using reagents “Transaminase AsT Novo” (manufacturer “Vector-Best” Russia). It was found that the average value of the AsT content in the groups of sons was lower than the generally accepted physiological norm and, for all descendants, was 22.44 ± 1.29 E/l. The reference interval for AsT based on the central 95% percentile with 90% confidence intervals was 12.29 (8.67...15.91) - 34.84(31.2... 38.5) E/l. The descendants of different fathers had different phenotypic variability of the indicator and differed in the level of AST. Thus, the descendants of the bull-producer Brio were characterized by a higher level compared to the sons of the bulls Malstrem and Fabio by 1.69 and 1.8 times, respectively. The revealed differences indicate the hereditary determination of the AsT level in Holstein cattle. The strength of the influence of the father’s factor was 0.18.